Australian Scientist Reaches South Magnetic Pole

By BBC

An Australian scientist has become the first person to reach the South magnetic pole, Radio Australia reported.

Geoscientist Charles Barton, aboard the expedition vessel Sir Hubert Wilkins, located the pole at 64 degrees south, 138 degrees east in the Southern Ocean and came within 1.6 km of its location.

The measurement is the closest ever approach to either of the magnetic poles. Unlike the geographic poles, which are fixed, the magnetic poles move under the influence of terrestrial and atmospheric conditions, making attempts to find its exact location difficult, the radio said.

Dr Barton also holds the distinction of having been the person to come closest to the North magnetic pole, within about 10 kilometres in 1994, the radio recalled.